The Glade 4.0

Back in June, word broke that "Torchwood" would be returning for a fourth season next summer as a co-production between the BBC and the Starz network. And while the new season won't begin production until January, some new details have already begun to emerge.

Returning showrunner and executive producer Russell T. Davies revealed that the fourth season will be rebranded as "Torchwood: The New World" during the recent Television Critics Association press tour. Davies reconfirmed that John Barrowman and Eve Myles will reprise their roles as Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper, but he also indicated the new "Torchwood" was essentially a fresh start for the series.

"It's partly a new series," said Davies. "But at the same time, we'll be absolutely faithful to people who've followed Captain Jack's story."

Following the finale of "Torchwood: Children of Earth," Captain Jack fled Earth in despair and Torchwood was essentially abandoned. "We acknowledge that," confirmed Davies. "And we deal with it in a way that will both satisfy old fans and new viewers."

In "The New World," Torchwood has been inactive for a substantial length of time and is now considered legendary. Two CIA Agent Rex Matheson and an intelligence analyst named Ester will be teaming up with Captain Jack and Gwen to face a new threat across ten episodes. Davies also confirmed that Kai Owen will also return as Rhys Williams, Gwen's husband and the father of her child.

The new season will also be shot in several different locations across the world, including the United States to capture an "international feel." But "Torchwood" executive producer Julie Gardner also added that "The Welsh setting still features in a really significant way. Gwen Cooper is still that character. Still Welsh! Her story takes place in the US but also the UK."

In other "Torchwood" news, the Chicago Tribune has confirmed that Davies has hired an impressive group of writers for the fourth season, including "Torchwood" veteran John Fay, John Shiban ("Breaking Bad," "The X-Files"), Doris Egan ("House," Smallville,") and Jane Espenson ("Battlestar Galactica," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer,").